The Russian Federation Oda
1
THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION ODA.
NATIONAL REPORT
1. AID AND AID EFFECTIVENESS
AID EFFECTIVINESS
We will implement and be monitored on all commitments we made in the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness, including enhancing efforts to untie aid; disbursing aid in a timely and predictable fashion, through partner country systems where possible; increasing harmonisation and donor co-ordination, including more programme-based approaches (G8 Gleneagles Summit Africa Communiqué)
ACTION: The Russian Federation is committed to the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and the Accra Agenda for Action. Since 2007 Russian development assistance has been provided under the Concept Note adopted by the President of the Russian Federation. This is a policy framework that reaffirms sustainable poverty reduction as the main objective of Russian participation in the international development co-operation and the MDGs as the basic reference point. The official title of the Concept Note is “Russia’s Participation in the International Development Assistance”.
The Concept Note promotes the aid effectiveness-principles of ownership & alignment, complementarity, predictability & transparency, accountability and monitoring. Russian approach to the implementation of the L’Aquilla food security Initiative and the Muskoka Initiative on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health is consistent with these principles.
We support Busan Partnership for Effective Development Co-operationas an achievement of the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness. Declaration established an agreed framework for development co-operation that embraces traditional donors, South-South co-operators, the BRICS, civil society organizations and private funders and approvedfive principles that form the foundation of cooperation for effective development: ownership of development priorities by developing countries, focus on results, inclusive development partnership, transparency and accountability to each other.
Looking ahead, diverse sources of finance, knowledge and expertise play key and complementary roles in the future of development - and broad, dynamic partnerships envisaged in the Busan agreement will continue to give these principles relevance.
ODA VOLUME
…. As we confront the development challenges in Africa, we recognize there is a global development challenge facing the world as a whole. (G8 Gleneagles Summit Africa Communiqué)
In 2011 Russia has increase of ODA volume up to 8.8% comparing to 2010. It is in the line with the ODA volume of up to 500 mln indicated in the Concept Paper. High spike of Russian ODA in 2009 was caused by the need to mitigate the adverse impact of crisis, especially in the CIS region.
Ratio for Bilateral to Multilateral ODA in 2010 and 2011 nearly remains the same – 3 to 2. According to the OECD methodology bilateral ODA includes assistance provided by donor country channels as well as pool programs, funds and project type interventions. In 2011 Russia provide aid by own capacity in amount of 114,02 mln USD or 22,17%.
REgional allocation of oda
Eastern Europe and Central Asia Russia implements wide range of regional programs through the collaboration with the World Bank, World Health Organization and World Food Program. As an example, jointly with the World Bank Russia implements Public Finance Management and Capacity Development Programs in ECA Region.
Multi-Donor Programmatic Trust Fund for Europe and Central Asia Region Capacity Development was established in April 2012 jointly by World Bank and Russia with initial funding of 23 mln USD with the main purpose to support improvements in the quality and speed of project preparation in low income countries of ECA region. As such projects are implemented in social, economic and industrial areas and critical for overall country development, strengthening country capacity for project management is essential to address issues of delayed project implementation, low disbursement ratios, and long project preparation.Projects under MDTF for ECA Capacity Development will be implemented in cooperation with EurAsEC Anti-crisis Fund.
budget support
ACTION: In 2009 as a response to financial crisis Russiaas a member of the Eurasian Economic Community initiated the establishment of a regional multilateral mechanism (EurAsEC Anti-crisis Fund) administered by EDB to help deal with crisis related challenges in affected EurAsEC countries. EurAsEC Anti-crisis Fund amountsto 10 bln USD, 7.5 bln USD of which is the contribution of the Russian Federation. Besides other purposes this Fund is supporting low-income countries in the region on IDA terms. Using the channels of the EurAsEC Anti-crisis Fund Russia provided concessional loan in amount of 63 mln USD to Tajikistan in 2010.In 2011 Russia financed budget support under the conditions of Other Official Flows to Republic of Belarus in amount of $1240 mln through the EurAsEC Anti-crisis Fund.
One of orientations of Russian policy is to improve aid effectiveness and support the use of sectoral and general budget support (GBS). We see the GBS as a way to streamline the process of reforms aiming at poverty reduction and policy stabilisation. In 2010 Russia provided 50 mln USD for Kirgizstan, Nicaragua and Nauru using GBS with the purpose of improvements in social area, including health sector, education and infrastructure.
DEBT RELIEF
ACTION:According to commitments made at Gleneagles Russia has cancelled $11.3 billion worth of debts owed by African countries,including $2.2 billion of debt relief through the HIPCInitiative. Beyond thisRussia has taken the decision to cancel $552 million in debt under the programme“Debt for development SWAPs” to the following countries: Madagascar, Mozambique,Ethiopia, Tanzania, Benin and Guyana. In 2011 Russia canceled debt for Zambia, Burundi and Tanzania in total amount of $36,2mln.
TRANSAPERNCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
We remain strongly committed to meeting our commitments and to tracking their implementation in a fully transparent and consistent manner (Deauville G8 Declaration 2011)
ACTION:The Russian ODA reporting system, including the datafor the G-8 accountability reports, has been formulatedusing internationally accepted principles and reflects theOECD-DAC methodology. Russia first reported on 2010ODA flows to the OECD-DAC as a non-DAC member inNovember 2011. Starting in 2011, Russia will report onODA to the OECD on a regular basis. This step reflectsRussia’s commitment to enhanced aid transparency andcomparability as a whole.
2.HEALTH
Muskoka Initiative for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health
… we, the Leaders of the G8, working with other Governments, several Foundations and other entities engaged in promoting maternal and child health internationally endorse and launch the Muskoka Initiative, a comprehensive and integrated approach to accelerate progress towards MDGs 4 and 5 that will significantly reduce the number of maternal, newborn and under five child deaths in developing countries… the G8 undertake to mobilize as of today $5.0 billion of additional funding for disbursement over the next five years (Muskoka 2010: G8 Muskoka Declaration Recovery and New Beginnings)
ACTION:In contribution to Muskoka initiative Russia work through bilateral and multilateral (GFATM, WHO, GPEI, World Bank, UNAIDS, UNICEF) channels focusing efforts on evidence-based measures that address major causes of the maternal and child mortality, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, polio and other infections, low immunization coverage of children, poor sanitation and low quality of pediatric care. Activities will also include technical support of partner countries and address shortage of qualified midwifes and poor access to obstetric care facilities. Strong focus will be on CIS countries in Central Asia and countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia, Zambia, Mozambique, Angola, Kenya, Namibia. Russia committed to allocate additional 75 mln USD in 2011-2015 to Muskoka Initiative on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
The first Russian contributions to the Muskoka Initiative were organized under the WHO framework for public health collaboration through two projects: Strengthening Human Resources Capacity for the Control and Elimination of Malaria and Improving the Quality of Pediatric Care in First-level Referral Hospitals in Selected Countries of Central Asia and Africa. Russia’s contribution to the Muskoka Initiative also includes technical assistance and training undertaken by Russian medical institutions. Russia’s health assistance targets building human-resource capacity and expanding health infrastructure and knowledge. As an example, in 2011, the Russian Federation organized international meetings and training workshops for 300 specialists from CIS and Africa partner countries at the Research Institute for Midwifery, Gynecology and Perinatology. Russia’s MNCH workshop series will continue in 2012-2014. As for now Russia allocated 22,5 mln USD for MNCH.
SUPPORT TO GFATM
Mobilizing support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (St. Petersburg 2006: Fight Against Infectious Disease)
ACTION: Russia is a constant supporter of the GFATM since it was established. The Russian Federation considers GFATM as an important mechanism to boost progress on the health related MDGs. In 2002-2008 Russia contributed 40 mln USD to the GFATM. In 2006 Russian government endorsed a decision to become a pure donor of the GFATM by reimbursement of 217 mln USD that were disbursed for projects in Russian Federation.Moreover, in 2010 Russia pledged 60 mln USD for the Third Replenishment period (FY 2011-2013). This brings Russia’s total commitment to the Global Fund to 316,99 mln USD since 2001.
SUPPORT TO VACCINES DEVELOPMENT
Building on the valuable G8 Global HIV/AIDS vaccine enterprise, increasing direct investment and taking forward work on market incentives, as a complement to basic research, through such mechanisms as Public Private Partnerships and Advance Purchase Commitments to encourage the development of vaccines, microbicides and drugs for AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other neglected diseases. (G8 Gleneagles Summit Africa Communiqué)
ACTION: The Russian Federation provides a wide political support to the innovative financing mechanisms to encourage research and development for vaccines and drugs.
G8 members (Italy, Canada, Russia and the UK) drove the success of the pilot Advance Market Commitment (AMC) for pneumococcal vaccine, launched together with Norway and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Rome in February 2007:
The aim of the pneumococcal AMC is to stimulate the development and the manufacture of affordable pneumococcal vaccines for developing countries. The AMC predictable price enable companies to sign long term supply commitments and step up manufacturing capability to fulfil them, while allowing developing country governments to budget and plan for immunization programmes, knowing that vaccines will be available in sufficient quantity at an affordable cost.
G8 countries pledged 93.2% of the 1.5 bln USD and have disbursed US 321.5 mln USD to the World Bank since 2009 (93.4% of AMC disbursements). Russia has committed 80 mln USD under AMC initiative for the period 2010-2018. For the present Russia has disbursed 16 mln USD to the AMC initiative.
Sixteen countries (Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, the CentralAfrican Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia,Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, Kenya, Madagascar,Mali, Malawi, Nicaragua and Yemen) have alreadyintroduced the pneumococcal vaccine through GAVI.
SUPPORT TO DISEASE SURVEILLANCE AND WARNING SYSTEMS
Supporting capacity building in the most vulnerable countries in disease-surveillance and early warning systems, including enhancement of diagnostic capacity and virus research (St. Petersburg, 2006: Fight Against Infectious Diseases)
ACTION:Since 2006, the Russian Federation has been providing technical and methodological support for disease-surveillance systems in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region. Russia is supporting regional and national efforts to improve preparedness and response for pandemic influenza, polio, HIV/AIDS, NTDs and other infectious diseases. By providing technical support and training for laboratory diagnosis, disease surveillance and containment of outbreaks through leading Russian research institutions, Russia has made a significant contribution to improved surveillance in the region.
In October 2011, the Russian Federation, in partnership with UNAIDS and the World Bank, convened the first High-Level International Forum dedicated to achieving MDG 6 in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. More than 1,000 governmental and civil society representatives from 50 donor and partner countries and relevant international organizations attended the forum. Aid effectiveness and mutual responsibility for achieving MDG 6 in the region were key themes for discussion, and the forum adopted the “Achieving MDG 6 in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Action Plan to Enhance Development Cooperation.”
Russia provides support in public health at the national, regional and global levels for the period 2009-2013 in close cooperation with WHO. Under this framework Russia is determined to finance joint projects, including those aimed on implementation of the IHR (2005) and capacity building of laboratory networks in several countries in Africa and Central Asia. The financial and technical support from the Russian Federation will allow to address critical gaps remaining in African and Central Asian countries on infectious substances shipping, monitoring and diagnostic of epidemic-prone diseases.
FIGHTING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
NTDs
We must also increase our efforts in the fight against other preventable diseases...particularly by increasing the volume and quality of medical research on neglected diseases in developing countries (St. Petersburg 2006: Fight Against Infectious Disease)
ACTION:The Government of the Russian Federation allocated 21 mln USD for 2009-2012 to intensify research in the area of neglected tropical diseases, including assistance to partner countries in Africa and Central Asia in building their capacities in surveillance, diagnostic and prevention of NTDs, including leishmaniasis, shistosomiasis, blinding trachoma, etc. As a result new means of diagnostic and prevention of NTDs are developed, test-kits and laboratory equipment are expected to be delivered to procured to the most affected countries, more than 150 health workers will be trained on special courses on diagnostic of NTDs. Moreover program aims to enhance NTD research and surveillance capacities of partner countries.
HIV/AIDS
Develop and implement a package for HIV prevention, treatment and care, with the aim of as close as possible to universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment for all who need it by 2010(G8 Gleneagles Summit Africa Communiqué)
ACTION: The Russian Federation takes a leadership role in development and implementation of policies to pursue the universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care across the Eastern Europe and Central Asia. That includes assistance to CIS countries in the field of HIV-prevention and surveillance. Russia chairs the CIS council on HIV/AIDS. Two consequent 5-years Joint programs to fight HIV/AIDS in CIS countries were developed under the Russian leadership and approved by the CIS heads of governments (2002-2006 and 2009-2013). Russia pushes HIV/AIDS to the top of the agenda in cooperation with other regional intergovernmental organizations (SCO and EurAsEC).The Russian Federation in partnership with UNAIDS and GFATM organized and hosted biggest regional HIV/AIDS forum – Eastern Europe and Central Asia AIDS Conference (EECAAC) in 2006, 2008 and 2009, with more than 2500 participants from more than 50 countries. The Russian Government is a major donor of EECAAC.
MALARIA
Working with Africa countries to scale up action against malaria to reach 85% of the vulnerable populations with the key interventions that will save 600,000 children’s lives a year by 2015 and reduce the drag on African economies (Gleneagles 2005: Africa 18(g), reiterated at St. Petersburg, 2006: Fight Against Infectious Diseases)
ACTION:Recognizing the fact that malaria is a major contributor to mother and child mortality in Africa the Russian Federation provides support the prevention of malaria. In 2008-2010 Russia contributed 19 mln USD to financial and technical support to strengthen malaria control activities under the World Bank Malaria Booster Program in Zambia and Mozambique and to WHO Global Malaria Program to support malaria interventions in partner countries in Africa and Middle East regions through a wide range of international training courses as well as capacity building activities. Since 2008 Russia’s support for the prevention of malaria has resulted in the development of core malaria training modules and organization of seven training courses in African and Middle-East Region.
In 2011-2014 Russia continues its efforts to further strengthen the human resource capacity for malaria control and elimination in malaria endemic countries. In collaboration with GMP/WHO Russia launchedjoin project (with over 4.5 mln USD funding) to capacity building aiming at national and district levels in malaria control and elimination with the main focus on African and CIS countries. As the result of the project 45 health workers from African countries and 150 health workers from CIS countries will be trained.
POLIO
ACTION:Since 2006 Russia supports measures for fighting polio through the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Total contribution to the GPEI in 2006-2011 is 24 mln USD.
In addition to the support constantly provided to GPEI the Russian Federation assists bilaterally to the CIS countries in their efforts to fight polio and maintain the polio free status. Russia provides bilateral assistance to CIS countries to help them fight polio and maintain polio-free status. In 2011-2012, Russia will provide 9.3 million doses of polio vaccine to Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, along with14 units of laboratory equipment for polio diagnosis and 340 units of coldchain equipment for vaccine supplies.
3. FOOD SECURITY
Increase investment for food security, including additional resources for food and development, by mobilizing, with other donors, US $20 billion over three years through the L’Aquila Food Security Initiative (AFSI) (L’Aquila 2009: Joint Statement on Global Food Security)
ACTION:Russian Federation considers assisting low-income countries and contributing to achieving the Millennium Development Goals including eradication of extreme poverty and hunger as a high priority in Russian international development assistance policy. Russia reaffirms commitment to contribute to mutual efforts for global food security by implementing projects in policy analysis, agricultural research, research, nutrition, safety nets, innovative food assistance tools and veterinary service as well as emergency food delivery and development food aid using multilateral and bilateral channels.